Legacy Honeywell Systems
Holding You Back?
From Excel 5000 to EBI, from SymmetrE to WEBs — Honeywell has left a lot of buildings running systems that are increasingly hard to support. We can help.
Talk to a Honeywell SpecialistThe Honeywell Legacy Maze
Honeywell has been in the building automation business for decades, which means they've accumulated a lot of legacy platforms. Through acquisitions and product evolution, buildings today might be running any of a dozen different Honeywell systems.
The challenge? Honeywell pushes hard toward their current platforms (Niagara-based WEBs-N4, etc.), and support for older systems is expensive or simply unavailable.
The Platform Maze
- • EBI, ComfortPoint, Excel, WEBs, XBS, SymmetrE...
- • Each has different tools, protocols, and quirks
- • Technicians often only know one or two
The Licensing Problem
- • EBI licensing is notoriously expensive
- • Server migrations require new licenses
- • Even basic maintenance needs Honeywell involvement
The End-of-Life Problem
- • Excel 5000 series controllers are obsolete
- • SymmetrE servers can't be upgraded
- • Legacy XL controllers are failing with no replacements
We Know Honeywell's History
We've worked on Honeywell systems going back decades — and we understand how each platform evolved.
Enterprise Systems
- EBI — Enterprise Buildings Integrator
- SymmetrE — Legacy enterprise platform
- CARE — Older supervisory system
- CPO — Central Plant Optimization
Controllers
- Excel 5000 — XL50/100/500/600 series
- Spyder — Programmable controllers
- Excel 10 — Zone controllers
- W7000 — Legacy unitary controllers
WEBs Platform
- WEBs-AX — Niagara AX based
- WEBs-N4 — Current Niagara 4 platform
- ComfortPoint — Building controller
- CIPer — Integration controllers
Protocols
- C-Bus — Honeywell's legacy bus
- LON — LonWorks integration
- BACnet — Modern installations
- Modbus — Third-party integration
Legacy Platforms We Specialize In
EBI (Enterprise Buildings Integrator)
Honeywell's flagship enterprise platform for large facilities. Powerful but complex, with expensive licensing and specialized skills required.
Common Issues:
- • Server hardware aging (often running old Windows versions)
- • License costs for upgrades or migrations
- • Database maintenance and performance issues
- • Integration with newer equipment
We can migrate EBI to Niagara or modern WEBs while preserving your investment.
Excel 5000 Series (XL)
The XL50, XL100, XL500, and XL600 controllers were workhorses for decades. Many buildings still rely on them — but replacements are increasingly scarce.
Common Issues:
- • Controllers failing with no direct replacements
- • CARE/SymmetrE software compatibility
- • C-Bus communication problems
- • Programming tools are obsolete
We can extract programming and migrate to Spyder or third-party controllers.
SymmetrE
Predecessor to EBI, SymmetrE systems are still running in many buildings. But the platform is long obsolete, and migration paths are limited.
Common Issues:
- • Servers running Windows NT or XP
- • No upgrade path within Honeywell ecosystem
- • Graphics and UI severely dated
- • Integration with modern systems impossible
We specialize in SymmetrE-to-Niagara migrations with full data preservation.
WEBs-AX
Based on Niagara AX, WEBs-AX was Honeywell's transition platform. It's still functional but increasingly dated compared to WEBs-N4.
Common Issues:
- • Java security vulnerabilities
- • Browser compatibility issues
- • Feature limitations vs. N4
- • End of support approaching
Upgrade to WEBs-N4 or standard Niagara — we handle both.
Breaking Free from Honeywell Lock-in
One of the biggest frustrations with Honeywell systems is the vendor lock-in. Everything requires Honeywell tools, Honeywell licenses, Honeywell technicians.
We offer an alternative: migrate your Honeywell system to an open platform like Niagara, where you're not dependent on a single vendor.
- Choose your own controllers and devices
- Work with any qualified integrator
- No proprietary licensing fees
- Future-proof, standards-based platform
What We Can Preserve
Migration doesn't mean starting from scratch. We preserve:
- Field devices — Sensors, actuators, dampers, valves
- Sequences — Your control logic, translated
- Historical data — Trends, logs, alarms
- Schedules — Operating schedules and calendars
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Honeywell's involvement to upgrade?
Not necessarily. We're independent integrators who can work on Honeywell systems without going through Honeywell channels. This often results in lower costs and more flexible solutions.
What if I want to stay with Honeywell?
We can help with that too. We work with WEBs-N4, ComfortPoint, and current Honeywell platforms. The choice is yours — we're not anti-Honeywell, we're pro-building-owner.
Can you integrate Honeywell with other systems?
Absolutely. We regularly integrate Honeywell systems with other BMS platforms, lighting controls, fire/life safety, and building analytics platforms. BACnet and Niagara make this straightforward.
How much does a Honeywell migration cost?
It depends on the source platform, building size, and target system. EBI migrations are more complex than WEBs-AX upgrades. We provide detailed proposals after understanding your specific situation.
Can you help remotely?
Yes. Most programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning can be done remotely. We use secure, DoD-trusted infrastructure for all remote access. We travel for hands-on work when needed.
Ready to Discuss Your Honeywell System?
Whether you're running EBI, Excel, SymmetrE, or WEBs — we can help you understand your options and plan the right path forward.
Schedule a Consultation